Fort Lawton homes nearing closer to sale

People can start moving in as early as October

Updated 1:18 pm, Thursday, August 6, 2015

The outside of a house that will be for sale at Fort Lawton, in Seattle.

The outside of a house that will be for sale at Fort Lawton, in Seattle.

Photo: Jones Lang LaSalle

Image 2 of 11

The outside of a house that will be for sale at Fort Lawton, in Seattle.

The outside of a house that will be for sale at Fort Lawton, in Seattle.

Photo: Jones Lang LaSalle

Image 3 of 11

A rendering of the inside of a remodeled Fort Lawton home.

A rendering of the inside of a remodeled Fort Lawton home.

Photo: Courtesy Of Rise Properties

Image 4 of 11

View of Fort Lawton, in Seattle.

View of Fort Lawton, in Seattle.

Photo: Jones Lang LaSalle

Image 5 of 11

The outside of a house that will be for sale at Fort Lawton, in Seattle.

The outside of a house that will be for sale at Fort Lawton, in Seattle.

Photo: Jones Lang LaSalle

Image 6 of 11

The outside of a house that will be for sale at Fort Lawton, in Seattle.

The outside of a house that will be for sale at Fort Lawton, in Seattle.

Photo: Jones Lang LaSalle

Image 7 of 11

The outside of a house that will be for sale at Fort Lawton, in Seattle.

The outside of a house that will be for sale at Fort Lawton, in Seattle.

Photo: Jones Lang LaSalle

Image 8 of 11

The outside of a house that will be for sale at Fort Lawton, in Seattle.

The outside of a house that will be for sale at Fort Lawton, in Seattle.

Photo: Jones Lang LaSalle

Image 9 of 11

The outside of a house that will be for sale at Fort Lawton, in Seattle.

The outside of a house that will be for sale at Fort Lawton, in Seattle.

Photo: Jones Lang LaSalle

Image 10 of 11

Panorama of Fort Lawton, in Seattle.

Panorama of Fort Lawton, in Seattle.

Photo: Jones Lang LaSalle

Image 11 of 11

Fort Lawton homes nearing closer to sale

1 / 11

Back to Gallery

Seattle has no shortage of unique homes, but these century-old historic former military homes are about as unique as they come. The best part? They'll be on the market in just a few short weeks.

The homes, which were originally part of former military base Fort Lawton, occupy nine acres in Seattle's Discovery Park. The homes are expected to hit the market near the end of September, and people can begin moving in as early as October, said Gary Blakeslee, a principal at RISE Properties. The private real estate investment fund acquired the portfolio of homes in 2013, and has been restoring them since July of this year.

"The toughest part is behind us," Blakeslee said, referring to the arduous, bureaucratic process of readying historic homes for public sale. "We all recognize the responsibility of conserving the living legacy of Fort Lawton, while at the same time creating a distinctive residential community."

A total of 26 homes will be for sale, ranging from modest two-bedroom homes of 1,700-sq. ft. to the General's House, a 6,600-sq. ft. mansion. No price information is available, but interested parties can register to receive more information here. The sale of the properties will be in two phases, said Blakeslee. Half the homes in a development called Montana Circle will be sold first, followed by the remaining homes in an area called Officer's Row. He expects all 13 homes in Montana Circle to be sold by year's end.

The company is restoring the homes based on guidelines established by the City of Seattle's Landmarks Preservation Board. The homes were built in the Colonial Revival style of architecture, and maintaining their original integrity is key. Meanwhile, the interiors will undergo extensive remodels to make them contemporary living spaces with plenty of modern amenities and conveniences.

The fort itself dates back to 1900, and was established to protect Puget Sound from a naval attack. It was designed to accommodate up to 3,500 men. The city purchased and established the land as a public park 1968, and the structures were added to the National Registry of Historic Places in 1978. The fort was officially decommissioned in 2011.

Real Estate Media OS playlist

Owners of these unique properties can also expect to benefit from all that Discovery Park has to offer, including two miles of protected beaches and dramatic sea cliff views. The park is Seattle's largest urban park, spanning 534 acres.